SENATE Majority Leader Francis Tolentino on Friday commended the ‘Books on Wheels’ project of Barangay San Isidro in Galas, Quezon City, which aims to teach young children the basics and joys of reading.

“Some of the best practices in governance can be found in the grassroots, in our barangays,” Tolentino said.

Leonor Alfonso, a councilor of Barangay San Isidro, shared that the literacy project was launched by the barangay in January this year.

Since then, the project has already served young children in various communities, according to Alfonso, who chairs the barangay’s Committee on Women, Children and Family Relations.

“Marami pong kabataan na kahit nag-aaral ay hindi pa rin nakakapagbasa. Kaya nakipag collaborate po kami sa Quezon City public library. Nagtuturo po kami sa iba’t ibang lugar sa aming barangay,” she added.

Alfonso noted that a teacher and a librarian deployed by the city government travel with the mobile library to conduct reading sessions for young children and learners.

Inspired by the project, Tolentino pledged to help the barangay set up an e-library to augment the learning needs of students in their community.

“Let’s work together to set up an e-library right at the barangay hall, where children can read and study,” said the senator.

Tolentino added that there are many ways for the national and local governments, including barangays, to combine their efforts to raise the standard of education for the youth.